01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS
2023 Kme Redundant Panther recall campaigns
NHTSA 25V584000
- Component
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Report received
- September 6, 2025
- Potential units
- 1,261campaign-wide
Defect and consequence
Defect: Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan) is recalling certain 2023-2026 Gladiator, Metrostar, FC-94, KME Panther, and 2024-2025 Predator vehicles. The actuator lever arm in the cab door latch may bind or become wedged, preventing the door from opening.
Why it matters: A door that cannot be opened may trap occupants inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the door latches as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 20, 2025. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 25010.
Owner notification: October 20, 2025 · Filing manufacturer: Spartan Fire, LLC
NHTSA 23V798000
- Component
- PARKING BRAKE
- Report received
- November 26, 2023
- Potential units
- 44campaign-wide
Defect and consequence
Defect: Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Predator, Panther, and Severe Service fire trucks. A defect in the inversion valve may delay park brake engagement, which could allow the vehicle to move unintentionally. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems.".
Why it matters: Unintentional vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the inversion valves as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
Owner notification: January 24, 2024 · Filing manufacturer: Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
NHTSA 23V631000
- Component
- PARKING BRAKE
- Report received
- September 12, 2023
- Potential units
- 660campaign-wide
Defect and consequence
Defect: Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Gladiator, Metro Star, 2022-2024 FC-94, 2022-2023 KME Panther, and 2023 KME Predator emergency vehicles. A defect in the inversion valve may delay park brake engagement, which could allow the vehicle to move unintentionally. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems.".
Why it matters: Unintentional vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the inversion valve, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2023. Owners may contact Spartan Fire customer service at 1-800-867-6478. Spartan Fire's number for this recall is 23017.
Owner notification: November 2, 2023 · Filing manufacturer: Spartan Fire, LLC
NHTSA 23V156000
- Component
- POWER TRAIN
- Report received
- March 23, 2023
- Potential units
- 166campaign-wide
Defect and consequence
Defect: Spartan Fire LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Gladiator, Metro Star, FC-94 and KME Panther firetrucks. After the vehicle is reversed, the transmission control module (TCM) may fail to achieve the 4th gear lockup needed to initiate the water pump.
Why it matters: A firetruck that is unable to pump water increases the risk of injury during a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will update the TCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2023. Owners may contact Spartan Fire customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan Fire's number for this recall is 23007.
Owner notification: April 27, 2023 · Filing manufacturer: Spartan Fire, LLC
NHTSA 22V871000
- Component
- STEERING
- Report received
- November 23, 2022
- Potential units
- 6campaign-wide
Defect and consequence
Defect: Marion Body Works Inc. (Marion) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Spartan Fire Gladiator, MetroStar, FC-94 and KME Panther fire trucks. The tie rod clamps may have been improperly heat-treated, causing them to fail and allowing the tie rods to separate.
Why it matters: Tie rod separation can result in a sudden loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace both tie rod clamps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Marion's customer service at 1-715-754-5261. Marion's number for this recall is 22V-778.
Owner notification: December 13, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Marion Body Works Inc.
NHTSA 22V778000
- Component
- STEERING
- Report received
- October 17, 2022
- Potential units
- 225campaign-wide
Defect and consequence
Defect: Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Gladiator, MetroStar, FC-94, and KME Panther emergency vehicles. The tie rod clamps may have been improperly heat-treated, causing them to fail and allowing the tie rods to separate.
Why it matters: Tie rod separation can result in a sudden loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the tie rod clamps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 2, 2022. Owners may contact Spartan Fire's customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan Fire's number for this recall is 22007.
Owner notification: December 2, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Spartan Fire, LLC
02 / COMPONENT BREADTH